Ireland out for World Cup revenge against All Blacks – live

Ireland players on media duty this week have admitted the World Cup exit at the hands of the All Blacks still stings. Yet they – and head coach Farrell – have each stressed revenge is not a consideration going into what promises to be a titanic tussle. Aside from that agonising 28-24 quarter-final defeat in Paris, Ireland have had New Zealand’s number during the Farrell era. A memorable 29-20 Dublin win three autumns ago was followed by a historic 2-1 tour success in 2022. While victory on Friday evening cannot make up for the heartbreak suffered at Stade de France, Ireland will be eager to right some wrongs.

Damian McKenzie is back at fly half for New Zealand in their clash with Ireland in Dublin, one of two injury enforced changes to the side who secured a narrow win over England.

McKenzie, who has spent much of the year in the number 10 jersey, replaced Beauden Barrett, who is unavailable due to a concussion he received in the 24-22 victory at Twickenham.

It is fair to say McKenzie’s performances this season have been mixed, but on his day is a match-winner.

“When he is on he is world class. You have to trust him,” coach Scott Robertson told reporters on Wednesday.

Asafo Aumua comes in at hooker for Codie Taylor, who was also concussed last weekend. The rest of the side remains the same.

“We have tried to keep the continuity in the squad as much as possible,” Robertson said. “There were some good performances (against England) and some cohesion. We won’t change just for the sake of it.”

Prop Bealham comes into the team for Friday’s match in place of injured tighthead Tadhg Furlong, while hooker Kelleher has been passed fit after suffering an ankle issue only a month ago.

Kelleher, whose availability is a massive boost given the absence of sidelined Leinster team-mate Dan Sheehan, is one of 10 players retained from the side which began the series-levelling 25-24 win over world champions South Africa on July 13.

Lock Joe McCarthy believes Ireland have “earned the right” to feel confident of taking on the All Blacks as they attempt to banish bitter memories of last year’s agonising Rugby World Cup exit.

New Zealand are due at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin tonight for the first meeting of the sides since Andy Farrell’s team were defeated 28-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament in France.

Ireland had won five of the previous eight clashes between the nations prior to the painful elimination in Paris, including securing a historic 2-1 tour success in 2022.

“Getting to play the All Blacks is where we want to be, testing ourselves against a world-class team, it’s exciting,” said McCarthy, who is fully fit following a recent hamstring issue.

“Every game starts on zero. I feel like every game, you have to make it happen.

“No matter what position you play, you’re playing against 15 top-quality rugby players, so you’re preparing as hard as you can.

“We’ve had a good track record the last few years, we’ve earned the right to have a bit of confidence going into games.”

A very good evening, and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Ireland’s opening Autumn Nations Series clash with New Zealand.

The November action got underway with a thriller between the All Blacks and England last weekend and this should be a proper humdinger, with Andy Farrell’s side out for a measure of World Cup revenge against a visiting team with confidence swelling after a significant win.

Kick off is at 8.10pm GMT.